ADAMS project: a genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis based in the UK

PURPOSE: Genetic studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and severity have focused on populations of European ancestry. Studying MS genetics in other ancestral groups is necessary to determine the generalisability of these findings. The genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis (ADAMS) project aims to gather genetic and phenotypic data on a large cohort of ancestrally-diverse individuals with MS living in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with self-reported MS from diverse ancestral backgrounds. Recruitment is via clinical sites, online (https://app.mantal.co.uk/adams) or the UK MS Register. We are collecting demographic and phenotypic data using a baseline questionnaire and subsequent healthcare record linkage. We are collecting DNA from participants using saliva kits (Oragene-600) and genotyping using the Illumina Global Screening Array V.3. FINDINGS TO DATE: As of 3 January 2023, we have recruited 682 participants (n=446 online, n=55 via sites, n=181 via the UK MS Register). Of this initial cohort, 71.2% of participants are female, with a median age of 44.9 years at recruitment. Over 60% of the cohort are non-white British, with 23.5% identifying as Asian or Asian British, 16.2% as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British and 20.9% identifying as having mixed or other backgrounds. The median age at first symptom is 28 years, and median age at diagnosis is 32 years. 76.8% have relapsing-remitting MS, and 13.5% have secondary progressive MS. FUTURE PLANS: Recruitment will continue over the next 10 years. Genotyping and genetic data quality control are ongoing. Within the next 3 years, we aim to perform initial genetic analyses of susceptibility and severity with a view to replicating the findings from European-ancestry studies. In the long term, genetic data will be combined with other datasets to further cross-ancestry genetic discoveries

The ADAMS project - a genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis based in the United Kingdom

Purpose Genetic studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and severity have focused on populations of European ancestry. Studying MS genetics in other ancestral groups is necessary to determine the generalisability of these findings. The genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis (ADAMS) project aims to gather genetic and phenotypic data on a large cohort of ancestrally-diverse individuals with MS living in the UK. Participants Adults with self-reported MS from diverse ancestral backgrounds. Recruitment is via clinical sites, online (https://app.mantal.co.uk/adams) or the UK MS Register. We are collecting demographic and phenotypic data using a baseline questionnaire and subsequent healthcare record linkage. We are collecting DNA from participants using saliva kits (Oragene-600) and genotyping using the Illumina Global Screening Array V.3. Findings to date As of 3 January 2023, we have recruited 682 participants (n=446 online, n=55 via sites, n=181 via the UK MS Register). Of this initial cohort, 71.2% of participants are female, with a median age of 44.9 years at recruitment. Over 60% of the cohort are non-white British, with 23.5% identifying as Asian or Asian British, 16.2% as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British and 20.9% identifying as having mixed or other backgrounds. The median age at first symptom is 28 years, and median age at diagnosis is 32 years. 76.8% have relapsing–remitting MS, and 13.5% have secondary progressive MS. Future plans Recruitment will continue over the next 10 years. Genotyping and genetic data quality control are ongoing. Within the next 3 years, we aim to perform initial genetic analyses of susceptibility and severity with a view to replicating the findings from European-ancestry studies. In the long term, genetic data will be combined with other datasets to further cross-ancestry genetic discoveries

Eco-friendly synthesis of MnO2 nanoparticles using Saraca asoca leaf extract and evaluation of in vitro anticancer activity

Manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO2 NPs) were synthesized through a simple one-pot green synthesis method using Saraca asoca leaves extract (SA-MnO2 NPs), and their physicochemical properties were characterized using various analytical techniques, including electron microscopy (FESEM and TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron diffracted X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). The as-synthesized MnO2 NPs had a highly crystalline structure with a calculated crystalline size of approximately 18 nm and a d-spacing value of 0.216 nm. The morphology of the SA-MnO2 NPs was like stacked cubes with high elemental purity, as confirmed by the EDAX spectrum. Further, confirming the as-obtained crystalline size and d-spacing value from the XRD analysis, the samples were subjected to anti-cancer activities to evaluate their reactance against cancer cell lines. The in vitro anti-cancer activity of the synthesized material was assessed against two breast cancer cell lines, namely MCF7 and MDA-MB-231. The results showed that SA-MnO2 NPs exhibited significantly lower levels of cytotoxicity against these cell lines, indicating their potential as an effective anticancer agent. Further, the IC50 value of SA-MnO2 NPs at 24 h was greater than 20 μg/mL. Therefore, the synthesized SA-MnO2 NPs could be a promising candidate for developing novel breast cancer treatment therapies

Resistance Evaluation for Native Potato Accessions against Late Blight Disease and Potato Cyst Nematodes by Molecular Markers and Phenotypic Screening in India

The potato originated in southern Peru and north-western Bolivia (South America). However, native accessions have also been cultivated in India for many years. Late blight, caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, is the most devastating potato disease, while potato cyst nematode (Globodera spp.) (PCN) is another economically significant quarantine-requiring pest in India. In this study, we have generated a new Indian native collection of 94 potato accessions collected from different parts India. These accessions were screened against late blight and potato cyst nematode resistance by using gene-based molecular markers and phenotypic screening methods. Marker assisted selection using R1 gene-specific marker CosA210 revealed a late blight resistance gene in 11 accessions. PCN resistance bands were found in 3 accessions with marker TG689141, 5 accessions with marker 57R452, and 1 accession having Gro1-4-1602 marker for G. rostochiensis (Ro1,4), while 64 accessions amplified marker HC276 indicating G. pallida (Pa2,3) resistance gene (GpaVvrn QTL). On the other hand, phenotypic screening against late blight resistance under natural epiphytic conditions (hot-spot) revealed three accessions with high resistance, while others were resistant (1 accession), moderately resistant (5 accessions), susceptible (29 accessions), and highly susceptible (56 accessions). For G. rostochiensis (golden cyst nematode) and G. pallida (white cyst nematode) resistance, accessions were grouped into highly resistant (3, 3), resistant (0, 2), moderately resistant (6, 29), susceptible (32, 30), and highly susceptible (53, 30), respectively, for the two PCN species. Collectively, we identified promising accessions with high resistance to late blight (JG-1, Kanpuria Safed, and Rangpuria), and also highly resistant to both Globodera species (Garlentic, Jeevan Jyoti, and JG-1). Our findings suggested that these accessions would be useful for late blight and PCN resistance breeding, as well as future molecular studies in potatoes

ADAMS project: a genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis based in the UK

Peer reviewed: TrueAcknowledgements: A full list of contributing authors and their contributions can be found in the supplement. BJ, RD, HRM, GG, ES and AJN were involved in the conception of the study. BJ and RD have ultimate oversight over the study. BJ and LS are responsible for the day-to-day management of the study. All authors are involved in data acquisition and/or recruitment. All authors were involved in drafting and editing the manuscript, have given final approval for submission, and accept accountability for the work reported.Funder: Barts Charity; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100015652Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000381Funder: Aims2Cure; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010255Purpose: Genetic studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and severity have focused on populations of European ancestry. Studying MS genetics in other ancestral groups is necessary to determine the generalisability of these findings. The genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis (ADAMS) project aims to gather genetic and phenotypic data on a large cohort of ancestrally-diverse individuals with MS living in the UK. Participants: Adults with self-reported MS from diverse ancestral backgrounds. Recruitment is via clinical sites, online (https://app.mantal.co.uk/adams) or the UK MS Register. We are collecting demographic and phenotypic data using a baseline questionnaire and subsequent healthcare record linkage. We are collecting DNA from participants using saliva kits (Oragene-600) and genotyping using the Illumina Global Screening Array V.3. Findings to date: As of 3 January 2023, we have recruited 682 participants (n=446 online, n=55 via sites, n=181 via the UK MS Register). Of this initial cohort, 71.2% of participants are female, with a median age of 44.9 years at recruitment. Over 60% of the cohort are non-white British, with 23.5% identifying as Asian or Asian British, 16.2% as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British and 20.9% identifying as having mixed or other backgrounds. The median age at first symptom is 28 years, and median age at diagnosis is 32 years. 76.8% have relapsing–remitting MS, and 13.5% have secondary progressive MS. Future plans: Recruitment will continue over the next 10 years. Genotyping and genetic data quality control are ongoing. Within the next 3 years, we aim to perform initial genetic analyses of susceptibility and severity with a view to replicating the findings from European-ancestry studies. In the long term, genetic data will be combined with other datasets to further cross-ancestry genetic discoveries

ADAMS project: a genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis based in the UK.

Funder: Multiple Sclerosis SocietyFunder: Aims2CureFunder: Barts CharityPURPOSE: Genetic studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and severity have focused on populations of European ancestry. Studying MS genetics in other ancestral groups is necessary to determine the generalisability of these findings. The genetic Association study in individuals from Diverse Ancestral backgrounds with Multiple Sclerosis (ADAMS) project aims to gather genetic and phenotypic data on a large cohort of ancestrally-diverse individuals with MS living in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with self-reported MS from diverse ancestral backgrounds. Recruitment is via clinical sites, online (https://app.mantal.co.uk/adams) or the UK MS Register. We are collecting demographic and phenotypic data using a baseline questionnaire and subsequent healthcare record linkage. We are collecting DNA from participants using saliva kits (Oragene-600) and genotyping using the Illumina Global Screening Array V.3. FINDINGS TO DATE: As of 3 January 2023, we have recruited 682 participants (n=446 online, n=55 via sites, n=181 via the UK MS Register). Of this initial cohort, 71.2% of participants are female, with a median age of 44.9 years at recruitment. Over 60% of the cohort are non-white British, with 23.5% identifying as Asian or Asian British, 16.2% as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British and 20.9% identifying as having mixed or other backgrounds. The median age at first symptom is 28 years, and median age at diagnosis is 32 years. 76.8% have relapsing-remitting MS, and 13.5% have secondary progressive MS. FUTURE PLANS: Recruitment will continue over the next 10 years. Genotyping and genetic data quality control are ongoing. Within the next 3 years, we aim to perform initial genetic analyses of susceptibility and severity with a view to replicating the findings from European-ancestry studies. In the long term, genetic data will be combined with other datasets to further cross-ancestry genetic discoveries